Device for testing pressure, specific gravity, and volume of gases.



S. G..SHAPFNER. DEVICE EOE TESTING PRESSURE, SPECIFIC GRAVITY, AND VOLUME 0E GASES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 191].Y

Patented July 1, 1913.

SAMUEL c. sHArENEn, or EAs'r ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

Ibnvrcn ronv rEsrINe rEEssURE,.,srEcIErc enAvI'rY, AND vormen or eAsEs.

specification of Letters raient.

Patented July 1, 1913.

Application filed November 7", 1911. Serial No.l 659,064.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL C. SHAFF- NER, a citizen-of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Esser: and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Testing Pressure, Speciic Gravity, and Volume of Gases, of which the following is a specification.

'My invention relates to measuring devices used in connection with gases of varions kinds including acetylene and ordinary illuminating gas, my purpose being p to enable the operator to quickly-and easily make a number of readings of different character by aid of a very simple, cheap and accurate instrument for the purpose.

More particularly stated, I provide va measuring device of improved construction and adapted for determining certain data relative to gases to be tested as follows: l. To test the pressure of a gas, its usual or normal pressure being known.- 2. To determine'the volume of a gas passing per unit of time, the specific gravity of the gas being normal according to a standard. 3. 'Io

determine the specific gravity ot a gas, a known volume of which is passing per unit of time through a meter.

For the purpose of making these determinations or readings I employ a receptaclein which is mounted a gas contro-l float or indicating member and a scale provided with a` of graduations adjacentto the position o-r pat-h of travel of this float, for the purpose of enabling the operator to make the readings direct.

For determining the volume of gas flowing per unit of time I use any sort of burner, for instance a stove. burner or a so-called mantle burner. In the particular instance illustrated I employ 'an acetylene cross-jet burner. For measuring pressure and specific gravity, however, I employ. a

standardized cap having a discharge aperture, the area of which is carefully calibrated, and is always the same-or at least is always known. For the various measure- 0 ments I employ diiierent groups or sets of graduations all carried, however, by" the same scale, and for convenience I designate this scale as a plural scale.

Reference is made to the drawing forming a part of this specifica- -Fig. l.

plurality of separate sets or groups.

accompanyingv tion, and in which like letters indicate like parts.

Figure l is a substantially central vertical section through one form of my improved testing device, this view showing the use of an ordinary acetylene burner, andthe portion. of the scale I employ in connection with` such a burnerv when the device is used for indicating the volume of the gas flowing per unitof time. Fig. 2 lis a front elevation of the structure Fig. 3 is a side elevat-ion showing the side of the device opposite to that appearing in Fig. 1, the portion of the scale visible in this instance being associated with the use of the standardized cap, for measuring the gas pressure actually developed, as compare with, or relatively to, a certain normal or standard pressure desired or expected; or for measuring the specic gravity of a gas as the case may be. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.-.-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig.v 5 is a horizontal section showing the use of a calibrating member having aslightly diderent form from that appearing 4in Figs. 1 and 4 inclusive. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing in eleatiogi the Calibrating memberv appearing in The supply pipe, popularly called a gas pipe, is shown at 7; Connected with it is a cap 8 provided with a massive portion 9, a

portion in a direction parallel with the axis of the cap. A tube 12 made of metal is fitted gas tight upon the cap 8 and' is provided with a large opening 13 extending for some distance inthe general direction of the length of the tube. A scale le is provided with two separate and distinct sets of graduations 15'16, and 16a, disposed upon its opposite faces, as will be understood more particularly from Fig. 2. The ends of the scale are provided with ears 17, and extending through the latter are fastenings 18 for holding the scale securely upon the tube 12. The scale extends the full length of the opening 13 and is disposed in such a position as to practically bisect this opening. The. glass tube 19 is disposed within the metallic tube 12, and is concentric to the same. The inner surface of the glass tube isv ren'- dered strictly cylindrical, by grinding or otherwise, and the ends of the tube are ground in order to secure accuracy in tit- .per end of the glass tube.

ting. A metallic cap 20 is fitted into the upper end of the glass tube 19, and is provided with an annular shoulder 21 which engages a packing 22 of annular form, this packing fitting4 gas-tight upon the up- The cap 20 is provided with a neck 23 extending upwardly from it. A burner 2li-in this instance an acetylene burner-is provided with a tip or opening 25 through which the gas issues as' itis burned.

In some instances, as elsewhere described, I substitute a standardized, cap 26 (see Fig. 3)y which is provided with an orice 27 of area in cross section which is always the same, or at least is.. always known. The standardized cap 26 isalways used in connection-with the graduations 16, 16a, or in 'other words, with the parts of the scale shown in Fig. 3, whereas ordinary burners, such as the acetylene burner 24, are always employed in connection with the graduations l-that is to say with another portion of the scale, as indicated in Fig. 1.

A float valve 28 is loosely, but neatly, fitted into the glass tube 19, and has generally a cup like form. The float valve is providedexternally with a number of annular grooves 29 spaced equidistant and adapted to receive and hold small quantities of gas in order to make the same serve the purpose of packings. It is a fact that a surface, and particularly a metallic surface, if suitably provided with grooves, has a tendency to hold a gas and to, increase the density thereof within the grooves. This is probably due, in a measure at least, to the phenomenon known as occlusion. The gas, being held thus within the grooves 19, and its density being in consequence somewhat greater than that of the other portions of the gas from the same source of supply, lserves to impede the flow of free gas along the surface in question. The valve thus formed therefore has a surface upon which the free gas acts in order that thevalve lmay operate as if provided with a packing. Nevertheless the -float valve does not bind against the inner surface of the glass tube, and is entirely free to assume any position consistent with the forces playing upon it. It is practically frictionless for the reason that the small annular volumes of gas condensed within the grooves serve a purpose analogous to lubrication. Moreover, the pressure of these small .volumes of gas being always directed radially inward is equal in all directions, and consequentl the fioat valve is perfectly balanced withln the glass tube. The float valve 29 is provided at its top with a circular hole 30. Extending through this hole and supported by the cap 10 is a vertical rod 31, the same having generally the form of an elongated wedge which terminates in a sharp edge 32. This rod, because of the oic'e it performs, I designate as a cali brating member.

The float, owing to Vits cup-like form, is so supported bythe gas that most of the gas pressure is applied to the upper end of the float in much the same manner as if the float was suspended from this upper end, so that the center -of gravity of the float, as a whole, is below the point of suspension. This feature lends stability to the position of the lioat, and tends to maintain the oat plumb at all times and under practically all conditions. The float is thus prevented from tilting and tipping, and as a 4consequence has no tendency to rub or bind unduly upon the inside of the tube. The upper end of the iioat valve is provided with an annular portion 28l integral with the body portion of the float and set off slightly therefrom by-virtue of a comparatively deep ,groove 28". The annular portion 28a, 'thus arranged, serves practically the purpose of a pointer, and as the operator can to some extent see under it by looking through the groove -28, he can determine with greater accuracy the 'position of the float relatively to the graduala sharp point at 34. Where the calibrating member has the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 I employ, in connection with it, a cat valve 35 pro-vided with a` substantially circular opening 36` of such pro-portions as to t neatly but loosely around the bottom of the calibrating member whenever the float valve is in its lowermost position. The float valve 35 is otherwise ofthe same construction as the loat valve 28, and is governed by the same principles.

As above indicated my device is used in three different ways, as follows: l

1. To est the gas pressure actually developed--as compared with a standard 'normal 0'1' usual. premura-For this purpose I use the standardized cap 26 and the scale 16, the device being employed as indicated in Fig. 3, and connect the gas pipe 7 with the source of supply of the gas which, as above indicated, is supposed or intended to have a certain standard normal or usual pressure. If the actual pressure developed coincides with the standard pressure the ioat valve will take upa predetermined position, which is indicated by noting the position of the valve relatively to'the scale 16, and the reading is thus determined. If the gas pressure actually developed is greater than normalthat is, if it is too high, the ioat reaches a hi her level, and if the pressure is too 19W the oat drops `down, so that in anyy event, any increase or decrease of the gas pressure actually developed as compared with what it should be, 1s Yeasily determined. For this purposeathe. speciiezgravity of, ,the seais iS-ie-saaunder the conditansstated, ethiek.

A or heavy gas will.elevate thefloatf to a higher. level than would be. .the @Sea-With :e

th1n, .and light-gaa Such being, the case,

and the. gradlations; 1 65 being suitable for the purpose. the operator can readily deternne,gby the posit10n.of the iioat relatively 25 totheseigraduationsythe.specific gravity of thegas under. testi-j ze :fernhaoozu/ma of gaa #owing Per fum'tf of time, the gravity being a8; tamed, :tag Mammals-For this 1 39 employ, the ordinary.. burner 24 together with the graduatons 150i the scale as inf, dicatedinrFig. 1. The gas in passng up wardlye. causesthe float valve. to rise 'at a level which is commensurate with the volumeiiowg' perun'it of- '.time. i As will be understood from theioregoing. description my device is used for more' thanl one purpose, yet all the purposes fof which Y it isv employed are more or less related. 4o Thafdrie isinaeffeetaolnbnatinnal in-t strument which, in one relation, is employed essentially for measuring pressure, '.111Y a1- other for determining specliic gravity, and in a third for ascertaining the volume of g5 as flowing per unit of time. In using the ev'ice for either of these three separate purposes 'various parts are always employed and other parts are only brought into service in connection with the particular use to which the device is applied. That is -to say, the Hoat and calibrated-member are always used, no matter 'whether the purpose beto ascertain pressure, volume or specific ,grav-VV ity, and Aconsequently whether the burner 24101* standardized cap 26 be employed.A

I do not limit myself to the use of any particular material to employed inthe construction of my device, or of any'part thereof. 'In many instances, hoWe'ver,Ipre fer to make the iioat valve of aluminum, the tube of glass, and various other parts o metal, though this is merely a matter o f 1ndividual judgment or convenience. Nelther do I limit myself to the use of the device c5 upon any particular kind of gas for one st perannit of 4 time the employed, forumeasllling volume for use 4with anyl specific type of burnerthe scope of m invention, being commensurate with my@ aims.

What I clai mas new'is;- s

' 1. .The combination of a metallic tube provided with anfop'ening extending in the generaljdirection of thelengthof said tube, a 'tube of transparent material located withinA said first mentioned tube,v a calibrating memhen'having a vcross-section. which decreases u'nformly from end to end of said Calibrating member, anda float, val-ve hav ingtheiormof a cup `a n d encirclin .said Calibrating. member, bei@` @Hoet 'Ya-1v? sing annuler. grooves frfefraleg-em11 quen- 2. The combination o@ thetube, a calibrating member l extending .thereinto and having' aA OITOS- secton which decreases uniformly from end to end of said calibrating member, a Heat valveJV located within said tube and movableby gaspressure relatively to. l said Calibrating 'member, said' float nelarsrooreS-.O te, Corral-e minute quantity vof'gas and cause the same to serve Y practically as a paclnng, and ai scale.V coact- `111g with said float 'valve for indicating thev member mguntedtherein andhaving a crosssection' vflqlihde creases from end .topnd-ofsaid ralibrating member, a float vvalae located within said tubular member and movable by gas pressure relatively tol Seid .fibrabnememberiqrft .purpose 0i Controlling the Bow of gas bet,v en said'ikat 'Ye Y'efand said Calibrating member, a plural scale disposed adjacent to the path of travelV of said oat valve and provided with graduations for indicating pressure, and also with Vgraduations for lndlcatlngvolume, a, burner to be connected with said tubular member when said last mentioned graduations are to be used, and a standardized cap to be connected with said tubular member when said rst mentioned graduations 4are to be employed.

4. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle,'a Calibrating member mounted therein, a float valve loosely mountedwithin said receptacle and adapted to be raised therein bythe How of a gas passing therethrough, said valve and said Calibrating member having such form that different. quantities of gas passing between said Calibrating member and said valve raise said valve into different positions, a burner t0 'be detachably connected with said receptacle, a standardized cap to be substituted for said burner, said standardized cap l ithereto, a gas-floated valve having an openrelating to gas being provided with a discharge orifice of known cross section, and a plural scale on the receptacle for indicating the positions of said valve when said burner is used and when said standardized cap is used.

5. As an article of manufacture, the combination` of a tube, -a float valve'mounted therein and loose relatively thereto, the positionv of said float valve relatively to said tu'be being controllable by the iow of gas through said tube, and a double scale disposed adjacent to said tube and provided with differentsets of graduations, one set relating to gas pressure and the other set volume, and means for connecting said tube with a standardized cap having a discharge orifice of known capacity, or with a burner having a discharge orifice, the area of which is immaterial.

6. As an article of manufacture, the combination of a tube, a scale disposed adjacent ing entirely through it, a Calibrating member extending into said tube and through said/ valve, said calibrating member being substantially cylindrical at one of its ends and provided with facets which converge so as to give said Calibrating member substantially ,the general form of an elongated wedge, and a scalev for indicating the position of said valve.

y 7. A gage comprising a transparent tube of uniform diameter throughout, a cap on` each end of said tube adapted to connect the opposite ends of the tube respectively l with a iuidninlet and a fluid outlet, a metal tube. mounted upon said cap about said transparent tube and having a longitudinal opening in one side through which may be 'observed the interior of said first tube, an

upwardly tapering Calibrating member carried in said first tube, rounding said member, and a 'two sided scale secured edgewise against the outer tube and bisecting the opening therein longitu-l dinally, -said scale having distinct sets of graduations on the opposite sides thereof.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a transparent tube, a scale disposed adjacent to the tube and a float valve movably 'mounted within said tube, said valve comprising an inverted cup-shaped member open at its lower end and provided in its outer surface with a plurality ofV spaced circumferential grooves, said valve being movable'within said tube longitudinally of said scale.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a transparent tube, a scale arranged adjacent4 to the tube and longitudinally thereof, and a float valve mounted to move in said tube and comprising an inverted cup shape member open at its lower end and provided with an annular portion spaced from the body of 'the valve by a relatively deep circumferential groove, said annular portion serving as a pointer to coperate with said scale whereby to determine the position of said float valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL C. SHAFFNER. Witnesses:

EDW. O. Hoon, E. STEIN.

a float valve sur- 

